Brushes: Let's get serious.

Below is an excerpt from an actual conversation between a friend and me last month:

Friend:  "I got some new eyeshadow.  Can you put it on me?"
Me:  "Fa sho.  Where are your brushes?"
Friend:  "I don't have any."
Me (confused):  "Then what do you use to put on your eyeshadow?"
Friend:  "My finger."
Me:  ---stunned silence---

This little exchange made me realize that there might be some ladies in this world who need some guidance when it comes to makeup brushes. 

As excessive as it may sound, every category of makeup needs its own brush.  If you apply a certain kind of makeup with a brush meant for something else, you won't get the optimal effect.  Here is my list of must-haves:

Blush brush:  Needs to be thinner than a face powder brush and very soft and flexible.
Fave product:  Bare Minerals Tapered Blush Brush  Click here to buy online 

Kabuki brush:  Strange name, specific purpose.  This brush is short and fat and is ideal for those of us who wear mineral makeup or loose powder.  They provide better coverage than regular brushes and smooth the powder evenly over your face.
Fave product:  Bare Minerals Full Coverage Kabuki Brush  Click here to buy online

Concealer brush:  This small, thin brush can be used for covering up red spots and also to apply undereye concealer.
Fave product:  Bare Minerals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush  Click here to buy online

All-over eyeshadow brush:  This brush needs to be relatively flat and wide, and the softer the better.  Use this to sweep all-over color onto your entire lid and up to your arch.
Fave product:  Sephora Collection All-Over Shadow Brush  Click here to buy online

Crease brush:  Now this bad boy is important and often gets left out.  Coat this pointed brush with your dark crease color and apply to the crease of your lid for depth.  *Tip:  place the crease brush in the middle of your crease and open your eye halfway --- this will help you find your natural crease.  Then swipe the brush back and forth like a windshield wiper to apply the color.
Fave product:  Trish McEvoy Tapered Blending Brush #29  Click here to buy online

Eyeliner brush:  This super skinny gem is for all you chicas who wear powder liner (which I prefer, because it makes a line that is softer and less harsh than stick or liquid liner). 
Fave product:  Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush  Click here to buy online

Eyebrow brush:  Use this rigid, angled brush to apply brow powder to define those suckers.
Fave product:  Bare Minerals Angled Brow Brush  Click here to buy online

Now pretend you're an artist, and use these tools to paint your face!  (Get the pun?  Name of the blog is Face Painting?  I'm so witty.)